The Dayton Triangles are, arguably, considered the best pro team of
1918. Granted there are a couple of factors that need to be noted. First of all, World War
I depleted many teams of their star players. The need for Dehavilands and detonators kept
many of our boys working in the Delco factories.

Secondly, the Spanish influenza ran through the veins of
our nation early in the season. Dayton managed to field a strong team in spite of these
elements.

The Triangles squared up with the Hammond Clabbys*
twice during the season. Dayton won both games, played at Triangle Park. The first
contest, played on November 3, proved to be one of their toughest games of the season.
Dayton won by a score of 13-6. Hammond's touchdown in the third period was the first
points allowed by Dayton in four games.

Over two thousand fans caught their first glimpse of
Francis Bacon; a Wabash graduate who was playing left halfback for Hammond. Mr. Bacon
attracted the attention of Triangle management and the following year he would be working
for Delco and playing football for them on Sunday afternoons. Dayton fans loved him and
came to know him as "Bake." He worked for Delco until 1925 serving as employment
manager and educational director. In August of that year, he left Delco and became the
recreational director for the City of Dayton.

Chuck Helvie was one of the Dayton stars. Having graduated
from Notre Dame, and playing a couple of years within the Hoosier circuit, Mr. Helvie was
able to provide some of the dope to his new team. His primary piece of advice was not to
underestimate these Indiana lads. Chuck had played the previous year with Pine Village and
knew many of the players that were coming to town. It may have been because of his
knowledge that the Dayton fans grew suspicious of their Hammond opponents. In those days
many players assumed false identities to protect various interests. It was suspected that
the Hammond eleven practiced this behavior.

The second contest between Dayton and Hammond was on
November 24, 1918. Lieutenant Norbert Sacksteder was home on furlough from Camp Lee.
"Saxy," a Dayton native, was perhaps one of the best traveled pro players of the
time. Norb dug his cleats into Dayton soil in 1910, playing with the Dayton Gym Cadets.

By this time he had gained experience with the Massillon
Tigers and the Detroit Heralds. Detroit fans referred to him as the "Ty Cobb" of
football. The homecoming of Saxy turned out to be good timing for Dayton. Hammond had sent
correspondence to Carl Storck in reference to the upcoming game. Hammond management
assured Mr. Storck that the outcome of this game would be different, and that his
Triangles had better be ready. Dayton's giant tackle, Otto Bessmeyer, was unable to play
because of a shoulder injury and Lou Partlow left the game early with broken ribs. Norb
didn't disappoint. He made several sensational runs, helping his team to a 23-0 victory.

Researcher & writer: Mark Fenner
Sources: The Dayton Daily News, The Delco Doings, and The Sunday Game by Keith
McClellan.

* Note:
According the football researcher and writer, Roy Sye, Hammond played under the
nickname"Clabbys" (or Hammond Clabby AC) in 1918.
Hammond did not start using the "Pros" nickname until 1920.